JAMIE'S RANDOM EUROPEAN AND REST OF THE WORLD RAILWAY PHOTOS.

[jamie92208]

Good moaning again from a grey and cool Charente.  The tardis though is still in Mossman, Queensland on 12th April 2019. I followed the tracks and came to a sugar mill.  Completely deserted as it wasn't the harvesting and processing season.  These were poking out of one of the sheds though.

And another.

Long lines of trucks though around the place.

Here's a longer distance view of the mill and loco shed.

Even more trucks.

And the whole area looked well maintained.

It must be a real hive of activity during the harvesting season.

 

I did a bit of research when I got back to the hotel and apparently the Mossman system is the northernmost sugar can system of about a dozen in Queensland.  We passed another one crossing the man road between Port Douglas and Cairns. I just wish that I had been there when the harvest was ongoing as I believe that it is a 24/7 operation.

 

Jamie

 

[monkeysarefun]

 

Early on in the industry until mid this century South Pacific Islanders were "enticed" to work the plantations in near slavelike conditions, a practice called blackbirding and a shameful part of Australia's past.

 

There's a lot of folklore surrounding cane cutters, but they sure we're tough blokes given the backbreaking work in the tropical heat. Going north to cut cane was an escape route of sorts, kind of the equivalent of joining the foreign legion if you were French I guess.

Got you fit but, a kid at school, the target of the school bullies vanished for a couple of years until word got back that he was back in town hunting down his tormentors and he'd been cane cutting and was "FU###NG HUGE!". Many of the guilty lay low for the next few weeks!

 

Here's a short video to show what it was like back in the day.

 

[Adam88]

4 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

Early on in the industry until mid this century South Pacific Islanders were "enticed" to work the plantations in near slavelike conditions, a practice called blackbirding and a shameful part of Australia's past.

 

There's a lot of folklore surrounding cane cutters, but they sure we're tough blokes given the backbreaking work in the tropical heat. Going north to cut cane was an escape route of sorts, kind of the equivalent of joining the foreign legion if you were French I guess.

Got you fit but, a kid at school, the target of the school bullies vanished for a couple of years until word got back that he was back in town hunting down his tormentors and he'd been cane cutting and was "FU###NG HUGE!". Many of the guilty lay low for the next few weeks!

 

Here's a short video to show what it was like back in the day.

 

 

Very interesting indeed on all sorts of levels.  One of those attractive Queensland sugar cane locomotives is being rebuilt to working order by the Steam Workshop.  Take a look at Fowler 16341 for further info and links to videos of the rebuild.

[The Lurker]

seeing the cane sugar railway brings back vague memories of a book I had as a child which was about the sugar railways in Queensland. I can't even remember whether it was fact or fiction although I do have memories of line drawn pictures which suggests the latter. It wouldn't surprise me if I had been given it when we lived in Singapore, so mid 70s. I've not thought about that book in most of a lifetime since!

 

EDIT: a quick search on google suggests it might have been "Sandy the cane train" by Jean Chapman. I was probably most disappointed that it was the diesel rescuing the steam locos!

 

Edited April 25, 2022 by The Lurker

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a grey and chilly Charente.   However it was distinctly warmer in Queensland.  I got back to the hotel safely from Mossman and the next day we went out to the Great Barrier Reef.  Choppy ride in a fast Cat but fortunately neither of us suffer from mal de mer.  It didn't stop the chinese woman opposite us talking non stop through the interesting commentary even though her son in law was fast asleep.  Anyway the following day, the 14th April we were back at Cairns airport, the hire car was safely dropped off and we were also back in the tender care of Quantas. 

As we now expected the special assistance had not been sorted but the staff were excellent.  Then a terrifying taxi ride from Brisbane airport to the city centre where out driver fell asleep in the long tunnel.   He even had the temerity to ask for a tip.  Our hotel room was high above the centre but Roma Street station was within easy walking distance. Once I managed to get a cheap ticket and get onto the platform the first thing I saw was the dual gauge platforms, 3'6" and standard.  Such trackwork always fascinates me.  

I obviously needed a closeup of a crossover with different gauges.

The one train a day from Sidney arrived at some unearthly hour of the morning so I didn't manage a photo.  Though I believe that the container port is now served by standard gauge trains or will be soon.

 

However the station was busy with commuter traffic.

Different styles of EMU.

And a view to the west as a newish EMU arrives.

Jamie

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a cool but getting warmer Charente.  The tardis though is still at Roma Street station in Brisbane and it's still 15th April 2019. The  old station building appears to be disused and is certainly not part of the passenger station.

Another EMU coming in from the west.

And a newer one from the east.

An older one labelled for QueenslandRail rather than translink

Then tis appeared.  A loco hauled train coming in.

Two Co Co's on the front.  I think that this was going to form a departure to the west on a long distance service into the interior.

Jamie

 

[Johann Marsbar]

Those older QR electric units used to have a rather low-vis front end (photo taken in 1992)....

 

[jamie92208]

Good apres midi from the Charente.  I've realised that tomorrow it will be two years since I started uploading my various railway photos.  4 threads later it's still going.  On a quick and dirty calculation that's round about 4,300.   It's been great to do and there are still some to come.  I hope to add a Switzerland to this thread later in May.

 

Anyway back to business.  the tardis is still in Brisbane on the 15th April 2019.

One final shot of the two locos bringing the train in.

Then one of the EMU's arriving.

And another coming in from the other direction.

And one of the older ones with a yellow face.

That was it for railways in Brisbane but the next morning we went down to the tropical gardens in the park and went to a quiet tea shop for a bite to eat.  Our peace was disturbed by a group who obviously wanted to be out of the way.  From snippets of conversation it became clear that the alpha male was a politician and there was an election campaign on.  This we met Bob Katter, a somewhat maverick Australian politician.  We had a short chat and believe it or not we had both known Brian Noble the Rugby League player who had started life as a policeman in Bradford.   I had once had to book a prisoner in who had called Brian a scared little sh1t in the back of a van.  Not a very wise decision.  I think I marked the detention sheet as the prisoner was subdued in demeanour.

Anyway the next day we were back in the arms of Quantas for the flight to Sidney. We eventually got booked into our hotel and after a bit of banter with the reception staff we ended up with a rather nice view from the room.

The next morning we went for an explore round Circular quay and various ferries were coming and going.

There will now be a short intermission for a few days as e are off to the UK at stupid o clock in the morning as Ryanair have changed our flight time.

 

Jamie

 

Edited April 29, 2022 by jamie92208

[Re6/6]

4 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 I hope to add a Switzerland to this thread later in May.

 

 

Excellent. Look forward to that!😃

[monkeysarefun]

Says much about how the world's politics has gone over the last 5 years or so that Bob Katter seemed to be playing right out on the wing when he started, now after the years of antivax madness and Trumpism he seems like the voice of the sensible centre in comparison.

 

Also, that building blocking your view on the right hand side of your hotel room picture, I used to work on the 27rh floor from 1992 until 1996, even our computer room had a view of the Opera House!

 

Was funny, street sounds from far below seldom reached us other than  the train horns from Circular Quay station and the blasts from the ferries. By far  the clearest sound however was anytime a  busker down on the Quay  started up the bagpipes..

I don't miss the hour each way spent on the train but I do miss working right on Sydney Harbour, especially in summer or when there was a gale blowing and there was a massive swell to ride the Manly ferry on at lunchtime, cheapest thrill ride in the world.

Edited April 28, 2022 by monkeysarefun

[EddieB]

I’d forgotten the piper!

 

Wasn’t it by the quay that the footprints of the famous were set into the pavement?  Rolf Harris, aka Jake the Peg, leaving three impressions - it wouldn’t surprise me if they’ve been filled in given his subsequent notoriety.

[jamie92208]

Bon Apres midi from a warm Charente.   Back from the UK after a stupid o'clock start this morning time to continue with the tale.  It's still April 2019 in tardis land and we are in Sydney NSW.  In fact it's the 19th April. On the way back from Circular Quay to the hotel this work on a new tram line was visible. Right under Circular Quary station.

The next day we headed out to the Zoo as we'd seen no Australian wildlife on out travel's so far. One of the Manly ferries was waiting.

The following day we headed over to Manly where apparently my brother lived for a few months when BOAC posted him and his family there to operate the eastern end of their routes.  This was the other ferry heading i to Manly as we headed back with Sydney Heads in the background.

Beth went back to the hotel but I got permission to go for a train trip.  This is Circular quay station on the central loop.

I then got a train to Central station and found a XPT in the platform preparing to set off to Brisbane. It looked sort of familiar.

And the power car at the other end.

Jamie

 

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from the Charente.  Yes the tardis is still in Sidney, NSW and it's still 20th April 2019.  Whilst at Central station there was plenty to see. Thus was one of the local EMU's.  Not a flightless bird with Rod Hull stuck up it. 

And an Inter City branded DMU I think.

This map shows just how extensive the network is.

I then rode a train over the bridge and up to a station on the north side of the harbour where a new Metro line was going to connect  A train was on test but this is the best that I could do in terms of a photo.

Then back to town and more photos of the tram line under construction on one of the main streets.

It's now Easter Sunday and we had been invited to attend a televised service in the Opera House so went over and saw the sunrise that morning from inside 1that world famous icon.  I even managed a photo.  A very memorable morning.

We were even served Hot Cross buns outside and on the other side of Circular Quay was what was to be our home for the next 4 weeks.  MS Noordam. The bridge is just to the right and our hotel off to the left.

Jamie

 

[monkeysarefun]

2 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 

And an Inter City branded DMU I think.

 

It's a V set electric interurban, built early 70s to 1989. Now I think relegated solely  to the Newcastle and Blue Mountains services. Will be replaced with the incoming D series.

 

Ausicion make a nice version in HO. Scroll down to see the liveries offered, including that one.

 

https://auscisionmodels.com.au/V Set.htm

Edited May 7, 2022 by monkeysarefun

[Ian Morgan]

What is that down the centre of the new tram tracks? Is it a modern version of the 'stud' contacts used on the seafront at Hastings and elsewhere?

 

 

[PhilJ W]

17 minutes ago, Ian Morgan said:

What is that down the centre of the new tram tracks? Is it a modern version of the 'stud' contacts used on the seafront at Hastings and elsewhere?

 

 

Induction loop?

[monkeysarefun]

Alstom’s APS (Alimentation Par le Sol) technology, a wire-free, ground based power supply, powers the LRVs along the wire-free two kilometres of the alignment through the centre of the City. APS was first used in Bordeaux, France on part of the city’s light rail line opened in 2003.

[jamie92208]

35 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

 APS was first used in Bordeaux, France on part of the city’s light rail line opened in 2003.

And still is. They were relaying some track when I rode the system and I was able to see but not photograph some of the gubbins involved,

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a sunny Charente.  In tardis land it's now 21st April 2019.  We were on board MS Noordam and were heading out towards the Pacific.  I suppose that the next picture does include a bridge that had railway tracks over it.

and I just couldn't resist this picture/  I'll probably never get the chance to see it again.

Our next stop was in New Caledonia which is an overseas department of France.  At least we were able to speak to the locals and enjoyed it.  It was weird though to see everyday signs of France.

 including the road works contractors.

Then on to Fiji and the main island where we docked near a large sugar mill.  In the morning we walked into town but I was allowed out in the afternoon as I had spotted railway tracks. Outside the mill, many railway looking things.

An extensive fan of storage sidings with trucks on them.  They obviously use demountable bodies here.

And what was obviously the first class carriage. I love the corrugated iron roof.

It's now the 27th April 2019.

 

Jamie

 

[monkeysarefun]

19 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

  I suppose that the next picture does include a bridge that had railway tracks over it.

Bridge under load-testing prior to opening, using 96 NSWGR locomotives.

 

 

[jamie92208]

2 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

Bridge under load-testing prior to opening, using 96 NSWGR locomotives.

 

 

That's a fabulous picture.   I didn't realise that there had been 4 rail tracks to begin with.  When did the other set go.

 

Jamie

[monkeysarefun]

17 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

That's a fabulous picture.   I didn't realise that there had been 4 rail tracks to begin with.  When did the other set go.

 

Jamie

Neither did I! They were built to form part of the future  northern beaches rail  line, in the interim they were converted for use by trams.  As the  Sydney tram network was scaled back in the 50's and 60's the tram tracks were replaced with 2 extra traffic lanes. The Northern beaches rail line is still being talked about...

 

Fun fact, the opening of the bridge by the premier  of NSW  was interrupted by a man in military uniform who galloped up on a horse and cut the ribbon first  with a sword. He was later revealed to be a member of a nazi style right wing group.   For some reason every school kid learned all about this incident in great detail, at least back in the '70's  when I was one of them ( a schoolkid, not a member of a nazi style right wing group...) .

Edited May 9, 2022 by monkeysarefun

[jamie92208]

Good morning from the Charente.  The tardis is still in Fiji on the 27th April and we are in Lautoka near the sugar mill.  Here's another view of the marshalling yard full of sugar cane wagons.  I wonder how they mow the grass.

A great fan of points.

And at last a loco marked for FSC, Fiji Sugar Corporation.

A lightly better view with the long lens.  It looks like a scale car in front of it.  The security guards wouldn't allow me any closer.

More rolling stock.

and a lonely point lever.

More tomorrow,

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon from a sunny and warm Charente.  The tardis is still in Fiji on the 27th April 2019. A view of the marshalling yard looking towards the town.

And the exit.  After running at the side of the road for half a mile it goes onto the centre reservation past the shopping centre and market.

A look back at the mill.

Some interpretive boards were by the side of the road opposite the mill.

And a bit more

And the text.

Jamie

[sir douglas]

One of these Hudswells survives and was next to us at Warley in 2017